Currently in Canada, either 4% sodium citrate or heparin 1,000-10,000 U/ml solutions are "locked" into hemodialysis catheters between dialysis sessions to prevent thrombosis. The use of an ethanol/sodium citrate locking solution may have advantages over either of these agents alone. The investigators hypothesize that the 30 % ethanol/4% sodium citrate catheter locking solution is safe and effective in the prevention of catheter-related infections and thrombosis.

For patients randomized to the 30% ethanol /4 % sodium citrate group, the lock solution will be provided in pre-filled syringes for single use only. After each dialysis session, the locking solution will be instilled into both catheter lumens, the lumens clamped and caps tightly secured to the hubs. Any remaining 30% ethanol/4% sodium citrate solution in each syringe will be discarded. The locking solution will be withdrawn from the catheter lumens before the next dialysis session.

Other: 30 % ethanol / 4% sodium citrate catheter locking solution

This solution is locked into the lumens of hemodialysis catheters between treatments to prevent infection and thrombosis. Before each dialysis session, the solution should be removed and discarded.

Other Name: Citra Lok Plus

Experimental: Heparin 1000 U/ml

For patients randomized to the heparin group, the heparin will be provided in 10 ml glass vials. Two, 3 ml syringes will be used to draw up the required volume of heparin to fill each lumen. A separate syringe will be used to fill each catheter lumen. The necessary volume should match the lumen volume with no overfill. The locking solution will be instilled into both catheter lumens, the lumens clamped and caps tightly secured to the hubs. The locking solution will be withdrawn from the catheter lumens before the next dialysis session.

Drug: Heparin 1000 u / ml

In the control group, heparin 1000 u / ml will be locking into the hemodialysis catheters between treatments to prevent thrombosis. The heparin solution should be removed and discarded before each dialysis session.

Detailed Description:

The pilot study will utilize a prospective, randomized design. After meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria and providing written informed consent, patients will be randomly assigned to a 30 % ethanol/ 4% sodium citrate locking solution or heparin 1000 U/ml. Patients will be enrolled from the Health Sciences Centre and the Sherbrook Dialysis Units in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Patients with planned antibiotic treatment courses lasting longer than 4 weeks from the date of new catheter insertion

Patients receiving a new cuffed, tunneled catheter over a guide wire, if a fibrin sheath angioplasty was not performed after removing the previous dysfunctional catheter

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01394458